Alaska

The state of Alaska provides both medical marijuana and an adult use cannabis program. Both of these programs are monitored by the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Alcohol & Marijuana Control Office. Participants in the medical marijuana program must apply for a state-issued medical marijuana card, granting them the ability to grow cannabis at home or purchase it at retail marijuana stores.

Alaska’s cannabis industry does not use the term ‘dispensaries’, but retail marijuana stores. While possession of an ounce or less carries no penalties, and you can have up to four ounces in your home with no penalty, the punishment ratchets up quickly for possession of more than four ounces.

At a Glance

Medical Marijuana Program: Yes
Adult Use / Recreational MMJ: Yes
Pediatric: Yes
Home grow: Yes – 6 plants allowed, no more than 3 may be mature.
Possession limit: One ounce of usable marijuana
Reciprocity: No
Legislation: Ballot Measure 8. Senate Bill 94
Estimated # of registered patients: 1178
Types of cannabis permitted for use: Alaska allows its residents to enjoy all forms of cannabis, including edibles, dry marijuana, concentrates and more.

Legislation & Important Dates

Types of Licenses

Associated Fees

Retail Marijuana Store Applications:
• Form MJ-03: Retail Marijuana Store Operating Plan Supplemental Food Safety Permit
• Application fee – non refundable – ($1,000)
• License Fee ($5,000)

• Non-refundable application fee for a license renewal application is $600 ($1,000 if late)
• Renewal of a retail marijuana store license, $5,000;

Standard/Limited Marijuana Cultivation Facility Applications:
• Form MJ-04: Marijuana Cultivation Facility Operating Plan Supplemental
• Application fee – non refundable – ($1,000)
• License Fee (Limited: $1,000 / Standard: $5,000)

• Renewal of limited marijuana cultivation facility license, $1,000;
• Renewal for a marijuana cultivation facility license, $5,000;

Marijuana Concentrate/Product Manufacturing Facility Applications:
• Form MJ-05: Marijuana Product Manufacturing Facility Operating Plan Supplemental Food Safety Permit
• Application fee – non refundable – ($1,000)
• License Fee
• Concentrate Manufacturing: $1,000
• Product Manufacturing: $5,000)
• Non-refundable application fee for a license renewal application is $600 ($1,000 if late)
• Renewal for a marijuana concentrate manufacturing facility license,$1,000;
• Renewal for a marijuana product manufacturing facility license, $5,000:

Marijuana Testing Facility Applications:
• Form MJ-06: Marijuana Testing Facility Operating Plan Supplemental
• Application fee – non refundable – ($1,000)
• License Fee ($1,000)
• Non-refundable application fee for a license renewal application is $600 ($1,000 if late)
• Renewal of a marijuana testing facility license, $1,000.

Processing fees for late renewal after failure to pay taxes are as follows:
1. if a licensee pays its delinquent tax after a local government protests renewal of the license, but before the board denies license renewal, $200;
2. if a licensee pays its delinquent tax after appealing the board’s denial of a license renewal, but before a hearing officer is appointed to hear the applicant’s appeal, $500;
3. if a licensee pays its delinquent tax after appealing the board’s denial of a license renewal, but before the administrative hearing begins, $5,000;
4. if a licensee pays its delinquent tax after an administrative hearing that results in a hearing officer recommendation to deny the license renewal, $10,000. (Eff. 2121/2016, Register 217)

Qualifying Conditions

Patients in Alaska diagnosed with one of the following severe, debilitating, or life-threatening medical conditions, are afforded legal protection under the Alaska Medical Marijuana law
• Cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS
• cachexia;
• chronic or severe pain;
• severe nausea;
• seizures, including those that are characteristic of epilepsy; or persistent muscle spasms, multiple sclerosis.
• Subject to the approval of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, other conditions may be added at any time.

How to Become A Medical Marijuana Patient

1. Patients must be an Alaska Resident with a valid Alaska I.D. as proof of residency. If you do not have an Alaska I.D. an out of state I.D., passport, or other photo I.D. with proof of residency such as bank statement, utility bill, etc. is acceptable.

2. Patients must obtain legitimate medical records or documentation from your primary care physician describing their diagnosis and bring these records with you to your marijuana evaluation appointment

3. Obtain written documentation from a physician licensed in the state of Alaska stating that, you are a qualifying patient. Be sure to bring your medical records with you to your appointment

4. Once a patient has obtained a written certification from a physician licensed in the state of Alaska, patients are required to register with the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics, “Marijuana Registry” — upon registration, patients will receive a medical marijuana I.D. card. * Please note: registration is mandatory.

Card Holder Benefits

Caregivers

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Yes, the caregiver must be 21 years of age or older. The caregiver can never have been convicted of a felony controlled substances offence. The caregiver must be listed by the patient as either the primary caregiver or an alternate caregiver. Only one primary caregiver and one alternate caregiver may be listed in the registry for a patient. A person may be a primary caregiver or alternate caregiver for only one patient at a time unless the primary caregiver or alternate caregiver is simultaneously caring for two or more patients who are related to the caregiver by at least the fourth degree of kinship by blood or marriage.